Times of Trenton Letters to the Editor - April 12

I hope that all of the residents of Lawrence Township and Medford go to the polls April 17, but before they go to vote against the tax hike, they should write a letter or make a call to their town council and tell them that their threats are not going to stop them from voting against a tax hike. They need to remind council they are the taxpayers who voted them into office and they will vote them out.

Both Lawrence and Medford threatened their property taxpayers that they will no longer get free garbage pickup unless they vote for a tax hike. Council members should be putting all their energy into cutting municipal waste — and I do not mean the garbage.

Are you not tired of being taxed out of your homes? It is time to react. If you do not go to the polls and vote “no” to the tax hike, next year, they will threaten you again, and, as in the past, the taxes will continue to rise until you cannot afford to live in New Jersey anymore.

I am a Jersey girl and want to stay one, but each year, they push me a little harder and I am afraid that, someday, I will have to leave the state because I cannot afford to live here anymore.

Vote no on April 17. It is our duty to let them know we will not take it anymore.

-- Judith DeCristofano,
Bordentown Township

Curtail campaign excess

“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union” calls us to action in a time of peril.

The time has come for a reconsideration of the nominating process in use in our country. There are two causes for concern. The first is the absurd amount of money that is being spent by candidates.

The second is the unlimited length of the campaign season.

Our objection to the nominating process is a question of responsible behavior. The amount of money spent on these campaigns is out of control and wasteful in the extreme. The time allowed for campaigning justifies the wasteful use of money and draws our elected officials away from fulfilling their responsibilities to govern. Our nation is burdened with this debilitating process, which is sapping our resources and crippling our efficiency as a positive leader at home and in the world.

A solution is nearby. Other societies have done it. We can agree on a cap for campaign spending, and we can agree on a season for campaigning (six months?). Other refinements can also be considered.

For the sake of generations to come, we need to shake off our wastefulness and free ourselves for a more fruitful future.

In the months to come, we ask our fellow citizens to question and confront the election process at every opportunity: by letter, in formal and informal discussion, by speaking to our elected officials.

With this choice, the Democrats would raise the fact that New Jersey is highest in the nation in corporate taxes. This negates the premise that GOP policies are good for business. New Jersey’s unemployment rate is higher than the national average. Even teachers and state workers who vote Republican have expressed frustration and pessimism about his coercive tactics.

Despite Gov. Christie’s actions, New Jersey property taxes are still among the highest in the nation. Mr. Christie uses an ad hominem approach when dealing with opposition to his policies: Basically, he attacks the messenger. Although this rhetoric sparks joy with his supporters, it doesn’t translate into benefits for New Jersey.

Gov. Christie would be an improvement over John McCain’s vice presidential pick, Gov. Sarah Palin. But this time, the saying might be: What’s the difference between an ex-federal prosecutor governor and a pit bull? The pit bull can’t think of the consequences of his actions.

-- Gary J. Falcone, Ed.D.,
Ewing

I’ll ask questions, I’ll find answers

I am running for a seat on the West Windsor-Plainsboro school board from Plainsboro. I want to help keep our district No. 1 and lessen the tax burden. Our district is great because our parents have invested their time and effort in education so their children can have great opportunities.

My background as a CPA has taught me to jump into projects, ask lots of questions, listen to the people who are actually doing the work, then formulate possible answers or improvements. But I also learned that feedback and follow-up questions are necessary. Most important, the insights and cooperation of all stakeholders are the critical features of a successful project.

I would like to bring that attitude of asking questions to the district. Too often, the board acts as a rubber stamp for the administration, rather than looking out for the students, parents and community. I will make it my mission to explain and clarify the budget. I will ask the questions that have been swept aside in the past.

My family moved to Plainsboro 14 years ago. Both of my children are graduates of High School South, where they received excellent preparation for college and participated in a number of sports, music and scouting activities. I have been the chauffeur, coach, booster parent and Scout leader.

We have a great school system, but our taxes are very high. I hope to watch over the district’s finances and budgets so that we can continue the excellent education but deliver it at an excellent price to the taxpayers.

I ask for voters’ support in the election on Tuesday.

-- Quentin Walsh, CPA,
Plainsboro

Most N.J. voters support state health exchange

At the 2010 AARP Day at the state capitol, Gov. Chris Christie commented, “I want everybody to have health insurance. I want everybody to be able to be provided with health care.”

AARP agrees — and so do the majority of Garden State voters. A recent poll tells the story (“Poll: Voters want to shop for health insurance — Retirees’ group finds most want the state to set up ‘health exchange.'"

The poll commissioned by AARP found that 59 percent say passing health insurance exchange legislation in 2012 is either very or extremely important.

A whopping 90 percent somewhat agree or strongly agree that Gov. Christie and legislators should work to ensure all New Jersey residents have access to health-care coverage. Among Republican registered voters surveyed, 83 percent somewhat agree or strongly agree.

It makes sense. While 12 percent say they are lacking health-care coverage, 41 percent are very or extremely concerned that they won’t be able to maintain their current health-care coverage for themselves or their family, and 55 percent are very or extremely worried about having to pay more for their health care.

The most interesting unreported fact from the poll is this: There is broad bipartisan support for New Jersey to implement its own state health insurance exchange. And of Republicans who were surveyed, 74 percent agreed.